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No Kava For Johnny - John O'Grady

John O'Grady claims this story is written by one Polynesian, Ioane Papatiso, "as told by himself". It's hard to say if this is just a writer's device, or if it's true. Either way, Ioane comes across as fairly believable, and the story is fun reading.

"No kava for Johnny" is written in the first person. Ioane, or John, aspires to become a respected member of society - and therefore worthy of being the guest of honour at a kava ceremony.

Unfortunately, trouble follows Ioane around even though he tries to avoid it. Things are never quite his fault, but the way mayhem occurs is worthy of a script for "Final Destination".

The story is very simply written, and has brutally frank moments that I find funny for their sheer unexpectedness. Here's how Ioane describes his mother at the beginning of the book, for instance: "She is still a very nice lady, but she does not look nice."

Ioane sees everything in this vein, describing his childhood in the village and the consequences (mayhem), how he is sent to live in the city of Apia (mayhem), and how he strives to be successful (mayhem).

This book is great for light reading, but if you want something deeper, it is also a painless way of learning what Samoa was like culturally, how a Samoan might view Caucasians, and of how a young man might handle the clash between old and new.

My copy shows that the book has been reprinted three times. That alone is enough advertisement for the quality of the writing.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Angel on July 10, 2008 at 1:54am

Have you read this one cliff??

Permalink Reply by Kiri on July 13, 2008 at 7:31pm

Yeah Angel! I have.. I really enjoyed it..

i was flatting with a fijian lady (i called her aunty) and.. randomly she hands me this book...

it was written in the 60's or 70's but the language and the stories in the book is relevent to today...

:)

Permalink Reply by Kobe Chan on September 22, 2008 at 7:33pm

I came across this book many years ago by accident too.. it is very very old but quite funny. Won't win any literary prizes but a good chuckle indeed!

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